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Category A · Workshop · 1 CPD pointMandatory · Code of Conduct1 hour

The OMARA Code of Conduct – A Practical Guide

Mandatory Code CPD (1 point, Category A)

The session walks through the Migration (Migration Agents Code of Conduct) Regulations 2021 in plain English, section by section, with a day-to-day practice example for every duty: the general duties in s 13, respect and honesty, dealings with government officials (futile applications, false or suspicious documents, correcting past statements), practice management (staff, MARN, advertising, insurance, the 14-day notification duties), the agent–client relationship (conflicts, confidentiality, know-your-client, keeping clients informed), service agreements, fees and disbursements, client money, client documents, file notes and the 7-year client file, and ending a retainer properly. Includes three interactive scenario votes, a “magic numbers” cheat sheet, ten Monday-morning compliance habits and a lightning quiz. Capped at 30 participants; live polls and chat discussion throughout. Participants must attend the full session to claim the point. Topic: the Code of Conduct (CPD Instrument 2026, s 6(3)(h)(ii)).

Learning outcomes

By the end of this workshop, participants should be able to:

  1. 01Learning outcomes – The OMARA Code of Conduct: A Practical Guide (1 hour, M2A)
  2. 02By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
  3. 031. Explain what the Code of Conduct requires and why it matters (s 314 Migration Act; Code s 5).
  4. 042. Apply the core duties of honesty, competence and respect to everyday practice (ss 13–21), including futile applications and suspicious documents.
  5. 053. Meet the practice-management duties on staff, MARN, advertising and 14-day notifications (ss 23–32).
  6. 064. Manage conflicts, confidentiality and client communication in line with ss 33–41.
  7. 075. Get the paperwork right – service agreements, fees, client money, file notes, the 7-year file and termination notices (ss 42–58).
  8. 086. Audit their own practice against a ten-point checklist and commit to one improvement.

Session plan

  1. 01
    Time Segment
  2. 0:00
    5 min
    Welcome, housekeeping, why the Code matters
    Icebreaker poll
  3. 0:05
    5 min
    The big picture
    What the Code is and how it is built
  4. 0:10
    8 min
    Being a professional
    Honesty, respect, skills
    Sections 13–16, 22
  5. 0:18
    10 min
    The system & the officials
    Futile applications, false documents, fixing the past
    Scenario 1Sections 17–21
  6. 0:28
    8 min
    Running your practice
    Staff, MARN, advertising, insurance, 14-day notifications
    Sections 23–32
  7. 0:36
    10 min
    You and your client
    Conflicts, confidentiality, know-your-client, keeping clients informed
    Scenario 2Sections 33–41
  8. 0:46
    9 min
    Money, paper & goodbyes
    Service agreements, fees, client money, files, termination
    Scenario 3Sections 42–58
  9. 0:55
    5 min
    Magic numbers
    Ten Monday-morning habitsLightning quizQ&A
  10. 1:00
    Finish

Live and interactive throughout – polls, chat and three scenario votes. Maximum 30 participants; full attendance required to claim the point.

How it runs

Live & interactive
Led in real time by the facilitator on Zoom (meeting format: video, chat, breakout rooms) or face-to-face. Minimum 6, maximum 30 participants. At least half of contact time is active learning.
Materials
Learning outcomes, pre-reading, the participant workbook and the joining guide are released 7 days before the session.
Attendance
Identity and MARN checked on entry. Camera on throughout (online). Roll calls and at least 2 timed participation checkpoints. You must attend the full session.
Certificate
After the session our staff verify your attendance, and your certificate is issued within 5 business days.
Ask anything, anytime
Booking unlocks the RMA Q&A, where Vikas Jain answers your law and policy questions personally whenever they come up, plus the Resource Library (Code-compliant templates, checklists and our workshop slide decks).
Reporting
We notify the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) through the OMARA Portal within 14 days of the workshop, once your full attendance has been verified.

Full details: attendance & participation · learning & certificates · online participant support · cancellations

Presenter

Vikas Jain
Principal Solicitor & Director, Wickham Lawyers

Over twelve years of legal practice, predominantly in Australian migration law. Admitted to the High Court of Australia and the Supreme Court of Queensland, and as a Barrister & Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand. Former Registered Migration Agent (MARN 0958336). Four-time finalist, Lawyers Weekly Migration Partner of the Year.

Full profile →